Both the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins have a shot at making the playoffs. Both teams sit at 5-4 on the year while being tied for second in the AFC East. That puts them both two games behind the New England Patriots meaning there is little room for error in the final stretch of the season. One loss derails all plans for the postseason. After Buffalo beat the Dolphins with five field goals back in September, the two teams will face off again as Miami seeks different results.
Miami's downfall has been their lack of a run game. Against the Detroit Lions, the Dolphins rushed just 50 yards . The Bills held them to just 80 yards in Week 2. With Knowshon Moreno out for the season, Lamar Miller has been shouldering the load, but he also appeared injured following the Lions loss. The Dolphins have now activated LaMichael James to the 53-man roster and the running back could see increased playing time.
The Bills' run defense has struggled, giving up 405 yards in the first six games while allowing 460 in the last three. However, their offense is having just as many issues, especially when it comes to redzone efficiency. The Bills currently rank last in the league with a 41.2 percent scoring when inside the 20-yard line. Last week, they were inside the redzone four times and managed just two field goals.
The Bills will ride high on their defensive front against a weak Miami offensive line. Buffalo currently leads the league with 34 sacks on the season. They put up six against the Kansas City Chiefs. Back in September, they brought down Tannehill four times. Miami is having a hard time protecting Tannehill. The line has suffered a number of injuries including Brandon Albert who was just ruled out for the remainder of the year. DAryn Colledge is expected to miss the game as well which could make for a very long game for Tannehill.